Pamela Lanee Smoak

Pamela was born in Jonesboro, AR on July 14, 1954 and went on to become a lifelong missionary. Pamela graduated from Arkansas State University with a nursing degree and Jackson College of Ministries with a missiology degree. She went on to do short term mission trips in Central America, The Philippines and Germany.

In 1980, Pamela moved to Bossier City, LA to take a position as music director at the First United Pentecostal Church. It was there she met Richard Smoak, who became her husband of 40 years. They spent a year in Kenya as AIMers (Associate in Missions); in 1988 they were appointed as career missionaries to Tanzania.

Pamela had a passion for spreading the gospel, which she did by teaching Bible School for years in Tanzania, ministering to ladies conferences in many African Nations, and being instrumental in translating hundreds of textbooks and Gospel pamphlets into Swahili.

Pamela is remembered by countless students and mission colleagues the world over as a driving influence in Bible School curriculum development and education. In this she showed her passion for empowering the next generation. She was a singer, author, storyteller, and a loyal friend.

Pamela Smoak was preceded in death by her mother, Olene Hurst, father, Clarence Hurst, and brother, Loren Hurst. She is survived by her husband, Richard Smoak, her son and his wife, Gordon and Rachel Smoak, her brother, Lonnie Hurst, her sister, Nettie Gibson, and beloved extended family.

Honoring Pamela as pallbearers will be Gordon Smoak, Bradley Smoak, Brandon Smoak, Christopher Hurst, Jon-David Hurst, Hurston Liles, Reggie Bozeman, and Kael Berry.

Honorary pallbearers are Randal Smoak, Malcolm Smoak, Lonnie Hurst, Jerry Richardson, James Crumpacker, Louis Johnson, and Fred Fontenot.

In lieu of flowers the Pamela Smoak memorial fund has been established through Global Missions, United Pentecostal Church International, with proceeds being used for a Bible School, national headquarters building, and orphanage in Tanzania in her honor. The account number is GMMFB.279.2110.

Donations to this memorial can also be made through The Pentecostals of Bossier City.

A visitation for Pamela will be held Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at The Pentecostals of Bossier City, 2833 Viking Dr, Bossier City, Louisiana 71111, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.